Device for cutting a slab from a block of soft material such as butter or cheese



March 18, 1952 M. J. WEINBERG 2,589,911

DEVICE FOR CUTTING A SLAB FROM A BLOCK OF' SOFT MATERIAL SUH KS BUTTEROR CHEESE Filed sept. 1s, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 'ATTORNEY March 18, 1952M J WEINBERG 2,589,911

DEVICE FOR CU'TIG A SLAB FROM A BLOCK OF SOFT MATERIAL SUCH AS BUTTER ORCHEESE Filed Sept. l5, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR Maurice J /lin berg BY gfflm ATTORNEY wires.

'less steel 4and the wires are located somewhat V`below the shelf and inalignmentwith the round- Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED sr-Aras TEN TOFFICE (Cl. Sii- 1117) 7 Claims. 1

Thisinvention relates to device for cutting a slab from a block of softmaterial, such as butter or cheese. It `is particularly directed to awire butter cutter or reiiover frame for cutting a top portion of.pre-determined thickness from a block of butter or the like materialprojecting above a receptacle such as shown in my copending applicationSerial No. 773,817 led September 13, 1947.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide an .improved wirecutter of the `character described, in which the spacebetween theleading wire and the wire adja'centtc it is less than the spaces betweenadjacent pairs of the remaining wires, so that the wire next to theleading wire enters the bulk or block v.of butter more quickly andvholds theA bulk or Yblcckdown against its tendency to lift.

Yet another object of this inventionis toprovide an improved device ofthe character described, 'so constructed -that `the wires may ybetensioned without turning and hence without torsion being applied to thewires which .often results in breakage.

Another object of this invention lis to provide a device ofthe characterdescribed, Vincluding 'a frame having 'parallel shelf portions adaptedto ride over' thetop ofthe flanges on "the butter chamber, vsaidsh'elfbeing provided with contact pins 'having half rounded portionsprojecting beneath thefshelf to contact the top lsurface of the flanges.The advantages ofsuch construction are as follows: y

The cutting -wires are prevented lfrom`-1c` tat ing, hence preventingbreakage of the cutting The contact pins may-be made of'stained bottomsofthe pins, thereby keeping the metal 'of the remover frame fromcontacting the'ange -the bottom -and vact as anti-friction lmembers 2therebypreventing friction between'the remover device and thebutterchamber.

Yet a further object ofthis inventionistoi'provide a device of thecharacter-described 'formed with a hollow handle, thereby 'reducingWeight. The cutter is furthermoreso constructedthatfif a wire breaks,Yit caneasilybeireplaced Still another object of this inventionfisf-tovprovide a strong, rugged and durable Vdevice/of the characterdescribed, which 'shall'be easy UYto imanpulate, relatively inexpensiveto manufacture, easy to assemble, and yet practical'andeflicient'to ahigh degree in use.

Other 'objects of this invention'will "inpartb'e obvious and'inpart'hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists l:in the'fea'- tures of construction,combinations -fo'f `lements, land arrangement of parts vwhichwillfbe-exem'- `plifled in the construction hereinafterfdescribd, and ofwhich the scope' of 'applicationwill'beindicated inthe following claims.

In the "accompanying drawing, in v-which'fis 'shown 'one of the variouspossible illustrative embodiments of the invention Fig. 1 is a top planview of a device vembodying 'the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side'elevational lView thereof;

Fig. `3 is a cross-sectional vview-taken 'on 'line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front Ye'nd'view f'thedevice-sliown in Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a 'cross-sectional Aviewltakenjon li'ne '5-5 of Fig. 1;

Figy is an enlarged cross-sectionalfviewfcorsponding to 'one side ofthelst'ructuref-s'hownn Fig. 7 is an end View of .oneof'ithe'i-wireanclnorin'g devices; and

Fig. 8 is a top planvie'w'of'-onefofthewirefanchoring devices. Y

Referring now in detailfto V'tl-ie'drawing,'l'Vdr-:s ignates a deviceembodying the invention. The same comprises a frame VI'I whichina'yfib'e made of magnesium alloy or any other suitableimafterial. Saidframe l I comprises a handle vI'Zfwhich may be hollow or tubularinconstruction. At the front end of the handle vlil fis a transversemember I3 extending toy both vsidesgof thefhandle. At the juncture ofthe-handle l2 v'-with'th'e cross bar I3 isadownwardlyextending-substantially semi-circular projection I4 serving asan abutment against which the index nger of the hand grasping the handlemay press when using the device.

Extending forwardly from the ends of the cross bar I3 are a pair ofparallel symmetrical side bars I5. Each side bar I5 is formed with aninwardly extending flange IG having an under surface I'I. The flange I5is at the top of the side bar I5, thereby forming an -inner surface I8for the portion of the side bar which projects below flange I5. The sidebars I5 are formed with a plurality of aligned pairs of through openingsI9. The undersurface I'I is preferably somewhat above the axes of thethrough openings IS. At the inner end of each through opening I9 issubstantially a semi-cylindrical notch 2Q formed in surface Il of eachflange I6.

At the forward end of the side bars I5 are upwardly extending portions30 interconnected by a cross bar 3| which is above the top surface ofthe side bars I5 to pass above the butter slab which is to be severed.There may be any suitable number of aligned pairs of through openingsI9. However, the rst two openings on each side bar I9 are more closelyspaced than are the remaining openings I9 in said side bar.

Each side bar I5 is formed with a vertical through opening 33registering with each opening I9, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.Furthermore, each flange I6 is formed between the notches 2B withvertical openings S5. Additional openings 35 may be formed in the angesI6 in front of the leading opening I9 and in back of the rearmostopening I9.

Extending into each opening I9 is a wire tensioning sleeve or shank 49.Each sleeve 4S is formed with a longitudinal iiat 4I. It is also formedwith a radial longitudinally extending slit 42 perpendicular to the fiat4I. The sleeve 4D is furthermore formed with an axial opening 43extending to the outer end of the sleeve, but terminating short of itsinner end. Interconnecting opening 43 with the rear end of the sleeve,is an axial through opening of lesser diameter than the opening 43. Thediameter of opening 44 is somewhat greater than the Width of slit 42.The sleeve 45 is formed with external screw threads 45 extending fromits outer end inwardly. Each sleeve 4i] has its inner end inserted intoone of the openings IQ with the threaded portion 45 protruding, Insertedin each opening 33 is a pin 45 contacting the flat to keep the sleeve 43from turning within the opening I9. Screwed on the outer threadedportion 45 of sleeve 4'! is a nut 41 contacting the outer surface 48 ofside bar Interconnecting each pair of opposite sleeves 40 is a cuttingwire 53. The ends of thewire pass through slit 42. The ends of the wireare, furthermore, upset or formed into a head and engage shoulders 5Iformed between substantially in the plane of the wire 5!) which are inturn substantially in the plane of the axes of sleeves 49.

It will be noted that the portions of the wire 59 beneath the iianges I6are located below the notches Z and hence do not contact said flanges.The pins 55 may be made of stainless steel or other hard, non-corrosivemetal. Extending inwardly from the undersides of the side bars I5 are apair of aligned lugs Gil. The lugs 5B are located adjacent the frontends of the side bars I5. The upper surfaces of the lugs 68 aresubstantially at the level of the under surface of the side bars I5.Said lugs are aligned with one another as shown in the drawing.

The device Ii) is to be used in conjunction with a butter chip or patmaking machine or device shown in my copending application Serial No.773,817, filed September 13, 1947. In said co-pending application, thereis disclosed a butter chamber open at its upper end and provided at thesides thereof and adjacent its upper end with parallel outwardlyextending anges to be engaged between the lugs 6i) and the flanges I6.In said co-pending application, there is explained that a block or bulkof butter is projected above the upp'er end of the chamber. The cutteror rerifover IIl is engaged with the flanges on the chamber and movedacross the open end of the butter chamber so that the wires 50 outthrough the butter to sever a top slabfrom the block or bulk of butterin the butter chamber.

In cutting the top slab of butter, the block of butter has a tendency tolift when the first wire cuts in. For this reason, the second Wire hasbeen placed close to the first wire to hold down the bulk and preventingit from lifting.

It Will be noted that the wire may be tensioned without turning the wireand Without applying any torsion to the Wire so as to prevent breakingof the Wires. Since the lugs 6U are located only at the front end, it isonly necessary to push the frame until the leading Wire has cut throughthe butter. The cutter device may then be tilted upwardly and the topslab removed. It is not necessary to lift the device straight upvertically, and it is not necessary to stop the cutter device at anyexact point as long as the lug 5i) moves beyond the flanges of thebutter chamber. The provision of the flanges I5 and the hardened pins 55cause the cutter frame to ride horizontally on the butter chamber andthus prevents breakage.

of the wire. Furthermore, because of the provi-.- sion of the pins 55,the wires are below the lower surfaces of the shelves or flanges of thecutter frame thereby keeping the metal of the remover frame fromsmudging the butter. Furthermore,

the frame may be made of magnesium alloy orother metal which mightcorrode and yet the hardened, non-corrosive pins 55 prevent themagnesiurn frame from contacting the butter chamber and preventscorrosion. Since the pins are hard and half rounded at the bottom, theyact as anti-friction members which facilitates cutting of the butter.

The hollow handle reduces weight of the device.

If a wire breaksit can easily be replaced. The Wires may be made ofstainless steel or piano wire or any other suitable material. Obviously,the pins 46 impinging upon the iiat surfaces 4! prevent the turning ofthe sle-eves itil.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved, and which is welladapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above setf'orth,it is to be understood that all matter herein setforthor shown in theaccompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative'and not 'in falimiting sense.

. vIt will be noted that the forward ends of the shelves 'l5 l'act aslocator portions to contact the top "ofthe butter'chamber to facilitateengagement of said device wi'th the flanges of the butter chamber or thespreader flanges.

Having thus described rny` invention, I claim as new'a'nd desire to'secure by Letters Patent:

1. A device of the character described Comprising a hollow handle, atransverse bar at the front end of the handle extending beyond theopposite sides of the handle, parallel forwardly extending bars atopposite ends of the transverse bar, upwardly extending projections atthe forward ends of said bars, a transverse bar interconnecting theupper ends of said upwardly projecting portions, the underside of saidfront transverse bar being above the plane of said side bars, said sidebars being provided with inwardly extending longitudinal flanges havingundersurfaces above the undersurfaces of said side bars, and a pair oflugs at the front ends of said side bars, projecting inwardly and spacedbelow said franges, and transverse wires supported on and between saidside bars.

2. A device of the character described comprising a hollow handle, atransverse bar at the front end of the handle extending to oppositesides thereof, parallel forwardly extending side bars at opposite endsoi the transverse bar, upwardly extending projections at the forwardends of said bars, a transverse bar interconnecting the upper ends ofsaid upwardly projecting portions, the underside of said fronttransverse bar being above the plane of said side bars, said side barsbeing provided with inwardly extending longitudinal flanges havingundersurfaces above the undersurfaces of said side bars, and a pair oflugs at the front ends of said side bars, projecting inwardly and spacedbelow said flanges, said side bars being formed with a plurality ofaligned pairs of through openings, sleeves having flats, within saidopening, pins on said side bars engaging said flats to prevent saidsleeves from rotating, the outer ends of said sleeves being screwthreaded, nuts screwed to the outer screw threaded ends of said sleeves,each of said sleeves being formed with a longitudinal radial slit and anaxial opening communicating with the slit and with an intermediateshoulder at the bottom of the slit and a wire interconnecting each pairof opposite sleeves and having end portions passing through the slitsand engaging said shoulders.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a substantiallyrectangular frame, a handle on one, end of said frame, said frameincluding parallel side bars, said side bars being formed with 'inwardlyextending longitudinal flanges, said side bars being formed with pairsof aligned opposite through openings, sleeves slidably and non-rotatablymounted in said through openings, a wire interconnecting each pair ofopposed sleeves, and means to slidably move said sleeves outwardly inopposite directions to tension the wires interconnected by said sleeves,said sleeves having longitudinal, radial slots receiving portions ofsaid Wires.

4. A cutterof the Vch`ar`a,"c:'t'er 'dlslc' `ri'be`d comprising lacutter framehaving a'handleand'a `air of side bars, said side barsbeingfformed a plurality of Vpairs'of aligned lopposite openings, a pairof coaxialsleeves slidablyfand non-rotatably vmounted within each pairof opposite openings, said sleeves" projecting beyond the outer surfacesof said side bars, wires'interconnectingeach pair of Vopposite sleeves,nuts scrwedronvtheproitruding endsjof said sleeves andcontactingjtheouter :sides of said side bars, for tensioning'said wires, each sleevehaving a longitudinal radial slit, and being formed with an axialv'through opening communicating with said slit and each sleeve beingprovided with a shoulder in said through'opening, and means on saidwires engaging said shoulders so that when said nuts are turned thewires will be tensioned.

5. A butter cutter comprising a handle, a transverse bar at the frontend of the handle extending to opposite sides thereof, parallelforwardly extending side bars projecting forwardly from opposite ends ofsaid transverse bar, upwardly extending projecting portions at theforward ends of said side bars, a front transverse bar interconnectingthe upper ends of said upwardly projecting portions, the underside ofsaid' front transverse bar being above the plane of said side bars, saidside bars being formed with a plurality of pairs of aligned oppositeopenings, a pair of coaxial sleeves slidably and non-rotatably mountedwithin each pair of opposite openings, said sleeves projecting beyondthe outer surfaces of said side bars, the projecting portions of saidsleeves having external screw threads, wires interconnecting each pairof opposite sleeves, and nuts screwed to the protruding ends of saidsleeves and contacting the outer sides of said side bars for tensioningsaid wires upon turning said nuts, said side bars being provided withinwardly extending longitudinal flanges having undersurfaces above theundersurfaces of said side bars, each of said sleeves being formed witha longitudina1 radial slit, and said sleeves each being formed with anintermediate shoulder at the bottom of the slit and said wires havingheads at their ends to engage said shoulders so that when said nuts areturned, the sleeves will tension said wires. l

6. A butter cutter comprising a cutter frame having a handle, atransverse bar at the front end of the handle extending beyond theopposite sides of the handle, parallel forwardly extending side barsprojecting forwardly from opposite ends of said transverse bar, upwardlyextending portions at the forward ends of said side bars, a fronttransverse bar interconnecting the upper ends of said upwardlyAextending portions, the underside of said front transverse bar beingspaced above the plane of said side bars, said side bars being ofangular cross-section and cornprising top inwardly extending ilanges andouter downwardly extending flanges, said inwardly extending fiangeshaving undersurfaces extending to the front ends of the side bars, and atransverse cutting wire interconnecting said side bars and locatedbeneath said inwardly extending flanges.

7. A butter cutter comprising a cutter frame having a handle, atransverse bar at the front end of the handle extending to oppositesides thereof, parallel forwardly extending side bars projectingforwardly from opposite ends of said transverse bar, upwardly extendingportions at the forward ends of said side bars, a front transverse barinterconnecting the upper ends of said upwardly extending portions, theunderside of said front transverse bar being spaced above the plane ofsaid side bars, said side bars being of angular cross section andcomprising top inwardly extending flanges and outer downwardly extendingflanges, said inwardly extending anges having undersurfaces extending tothe front ends of the side bars, a transverse cutting Wireinterconnecting said side barsand located beneath said inwardlyextending flanges, and means to anchor the ends of said wire, andinwardly extending lugs spaced below said inwardly extending flanges onsaid side bars.

MAURICE J. WEIN'BERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 969,947 Glaus Sept. 13, 1910998,722 Stewart July 25, 1911 1,249,513 Scanlan Dec. 11, 1917 101,653,578 Larsen Dec. 20, 1927 1,714,495 Case May 28, 1929 2,114,277Bloomeld Apr. 19, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 502,596Germany Sept. 24, 1930

